By Samantha Finglass
Some may think booking through a travel agent is a thing of the past. However, in the world of DIY blogs, Pinterest boards, and reviews, there is plenty of information on the internet to confuse you, misinform you, and make getting the best bang for your buck on traveling quite the hassle. Travel agents provide valid expertise to help ensure your next trip supersedes your expectations.
Kelley Austin, couples travel concierge, says trips can be defined by both price and value. “Price is what you pay, value is what you actually get,” she says. “[Travel agents] are your value interpreters.” When booking trips, an online resource can tell you what experiences are offered, but a travel agent can help you find what is right for you, she adds.
“Most people know what they want, but they don’t know what they need,” says Austin. “Online websites can only populate results from what you input, so they only bring what you want. We have in-depth conversations to help find the best options that meet both what you want and need, in your desired budget.” She uses food allergies and preferences as an example. Booking through an online resource won’t tell you if a resort can accommodate a gluten-free diet, but a travel agent can.
When coming in to work with a travel agent, Austin says to be prepared with when you want to travel, the top three things that are important for your trip, and your intended budget. From there, a travel agent can help maximize the value of your trip by catering your experiences to your specific preferences. “For instance, people don’t realize that not all islands have great beaches,” she says. “If your top priority is a beautiful beach, I’m not going to send you to an island that doesn’t have that. The internet can’t do that for you.”
Austin says the biggest myth surrounding travel agents is that it costs more to utilize their services. Using a travel agent doesn’t come out of the consumer’s budget, she explains. “When you don’t use a travel agent, you still pay the same price as if you were to walk into my office,” says Austin. “Your money just goes to support a large corporation’s bottom line instead of a local business.”
The second biggest misconception of travel agents is that they want to spend as much of your hard-earned cash as possible. “Your max budget helps us understand where to start in terms of value,” Austin says. “I can give you an experience that meets your needs within what you are willing to pay. Your budget gives me parameters, not an ultimatum of what must be spent.”
After the tickets are booked and you’re on your way to your destination, Austin has seven tips for smooth sailing during your vacation.
- Every morning after you’ve dressed your kids, take a picture of them, says Austin. “Kids get lost in large crowds all the time, but in a moment of panic, you aren’t going to remember what they were wearing,” she says. “Knowing exactly what they were wearing can help find them faster.”
- Once you’ve arrived at your destination, whether that be Disney World or Kyle Field, Austin recommends to scope out a safe meeting spot with your group. While it may feel like we are more connected than ever by cell phones, signal isn’t always reliable and phone battery doesn’t always last all day. Designating a spot ensures you can reconnect more easily without relying on technology.
- Austin advises that you take a picture of where you park once you arrive. “You’d be shocked by how many white cars there can be in an airport parking garage,” says Austin. After spending a day at a football game or a week-long trip to the Riviera Maya, the last thing you want to do is scour a parking lot for your car.
- Take a picture of your door and room/cabin number when you first arrive so you can always find your home for the next few days. For your safety, hotels and cruise ships don’t put your room number on your keys. Austin says snapping a quick picture can help you find your room easily.
- “Take a business card from the hotel lobby any time you leave the property,” says Austin. Having a physical street address rather than relying on navigation on your phone ensures you will be able to make your way back if technology fails.
- No matter where you go, make sure you have a local contact in case of emergencies, Austin says. “A reputable travel agency will provide 24/7 destination services, but if you are booking independently, make sure you know someone who can help you in the case of an emergency,” she says.
- Lastly, if you are traveling domestically, check with the local chamber of commerce. Austin says chambers are great resources because they usually have a calendar of events for the area, lists of hotels, and all of their members are vetted, so you know you are getting quality services.
Now is as great a time as ever to start planning for your next dream vacation. Using a travel agent can make your next trip uniquely catered to your needs. “My job is to make your vacation travel an experience,” says Austin. “There’s a whole world out there and it’s meant to be explored.”